Second SRC case on hold as Najib fights RM42mil conviction

KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s RM27mil money laundering trial has been put off until Nov 29, pending his bid for a review of his conviction and sentencing in the RM42mil SRC International Sdn Bhd case.

Najib’s bid for review will come up for case management in the Federal Court on Oct 21.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul revealed this in the High Court when Najib’s case – where he faces three money laundering charges involving RM27mil of SRC International funds – came up for mention.

Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan then fixed Nov 29 for mention in the money laundering case.

“If there is any extraordinary development, you can write to the court and I will fix a date, earlier or later.

“For now, I will just fix the end of November,” he said.

On Aug 23, the Federal Court upheld the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to convict Najib and sentence him to 12 years’ jail and a fine of RM210mil in the RM42mil SRC case.

On Sept 6, he filed an application for a review of the decision.

Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said yesterday the defence had no objection to the High Court putting off the hearing of the RM27mil SRC case pending disposal of the review.

“I have no objection because it has nexus to the first case (RM42mil SRC case). It is only logical.

“I presume by November, they (the apex court) should hear us (for the review),” he said.

Justice Mohamed Zaini: You will be conducting the review?

Muhammad Shafee: I am. I’m back on board after some hustle, but I’m back.

Justice Mohamed Zaini quipped: “Should have never left” to the laughter of the courtroom.

In July, just weeks before the RM42mil SRC case was heard at the Federal Court, Shafee’s law firm Messrs Shafee & Co was discharged by Najib.

It was replaced by Messrs Zaid Ibrahim Suflan TH Liew & Partners for the final appeal.

On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering for allegedly receiving money totalling RM27mil, which are proceeds from unlawful activity, in three AmPrivate Banking accounts belonging to him.

Najib is alleged to have committed the offences at AmIslamic Bank Bhd, Bangunan Ambank Group, No. 55, Jalan Raja Chulan, on July 8, 2014, under Section 4(1)(a) of the Anti- Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM5mil or jail not exceeding five years or both on conviction.

Najib is currently serving his sentence at Kajang Prison.